5 Takeaways: Morgan Park vs Metamora

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saturday we turned our attention to a game in central Illinois as Metamora hosted top seeded Morgan Park.&nbsp; It was a fun back and forth game in the first half before Morgan Park broke it open in the second half as the Mustangs won 55-28.&nbsp; We examine all the prospects in this in our <strong>5 Takeaways: Morgan Park vs Metamora</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rankin is Complete Superstar</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The #2 junior in the state of Illinois Morgan Park wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='801887' first='Nasir' last='Rankin'] showed why he is one of the most coveted athletes in the state.&nbsp; He is primarily playing on the offensive side of the ball now and wow does he make some game changing plays!&nbsp; Rankin had multiple downfield catches where he reeled in acrobatic completions including a TD catch in double coverage along with an insane 2 point conversion.&nbsp; The speed, strength, and athleticism has always come natural to the dual sport star.&nbsp; His ability as a pure receiver was what impressed us most of how he attacked the ball and made plays not allowing the DB to have a chance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thaxton is Group of 5 QB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The man throwing him the ball was Morgan Park 6'0” quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='201957' first='Marcus' last='Thaxton'].&nbsp; He is so efficient with everything that he does.&nbsp; Strong arm, excellent pocket presence, and touch on the deep ball.&nbsp; He seems to always put the right velocity on his throws.&nbsp; Placed the ball where his receivers could get it even in double coverage.&nbsp; Has mobility when he needs to use it, but is a great pocket QB.&nbsp; With NSD coming up in December more group of 5 programs need to be getting involved with Thaxton as he has proven to be among the best signal callers in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Run Game Effective for Both Sides</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite the star power in Morgan Park's passing game it was really the run that set everything up.  Senior 5'9” 190 pound back [player_tooltip player_id='1564066' first='Terrance' last='Gurley'] had an excellent game recording 4 touchdowns including three very long dashes.  Smooth runner with some shake that when he gets in the open field is GONE!  Broke multiple for 40+ yard scores along with pounding one in on the goal line.  Junior back [player_tooltip player_id='1585217' first='Reggie' last='Gray'] also had an 11 yard run for the Mustangs.  For Metamora [player_tooltip player_id='1585276' first='Jaiduan' last='Cranford'] is a 2026 running back to track.  He stands at 5'9” 160 pounds and was dynamic running with power and speed all game long including a pair of 50+ yard runs for touchdowns.  He hits the hole and explodes through it.  Strong build being able to run between the tackles and reads blocks well.  Metamora quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1585338' first='Stephen' last='Petri'] is a 2026 that probably projects best as an athlete at the next level.  Not much of a passer against the loaded secondary of Morgan Park, but we loved his decisive running.  Runs hard on designed runs.  The 5'10” 195 pound junior also plays safety where he came up in the box for tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Depth of Prospects on Morgan Park Defense</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs have plenty of star power on their defense.&nbsp; It is led by the ferocity of safety/linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='213605' first='Jovan' last='Clark'].&nbsp; The Washington State commit is physical in run support, flies to ball in space, and is a very good tackler in run game.&nbsp; Wisconsin Badgers commit [player_tooltip player_id='830246' first='Jahmare' last='Washington'] is a long and rangy 6'2” corner that had a couple flags thrown on him, but he made up for it with a terrific interception downfield tracking the ball in the air late in the first half.&nbsp; Also is excellent in run support as a tackler.&nbsp; Defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='830844' first='Ahmad' last='Grayer'] is the heart and soul of the defense with his playmaking and tackling flowing to the ball all over the field.&nbsp; Junior defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1585282' first='Kendall' last='Griffin'] had a pick 6 that he took to the house.&nbsp; Up front 2026 6'1” 215 pound defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1585123' first='DeAndre' last='Smith'] left an impression with his play.&nbsp; Was consistently in the backfield for TFLs.&nbsp; Flies to the ball and held up at the point of attack in the run game taking on the block while still making the tackle. Projectable frame.&nbsp; Class of 2027 big bodied [player_tooltip player_id='1598839' first='Daijon' last='Overton'] is already 6'3” and a load on the interior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>More Prospects That Caught Our Attention</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were more names that made their mark in this one.&nbsp; Morgan Park 2025 6'0” wide receiver Pierre Jackson tracked the ball well in the air on deep fade routes along with making a really tough catch in double coverage for a score.&nbsp; Metamora 2028 right guard [player_tooltip player_id='1683688' first='Evan' last='Grove'] showed some intriguing tools at 6'0” 215 pounds with a frame to continue to grow.&nbsp; He pulls well and moved bodies in the run game opening up holes.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1585293' first='Samuel' last='Barborinas'] is the last player we want to touch on as the Metamora 2026 defensive end has a good frame and solid athleticism.&nbsp; Blew up a play in the backfield, runs well to the ball, and has upside with another year of development.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->